About the Museum

The Schoolhouse museum is on the National Register of Historic Places.

The one-room schoolhouse in which the museum is housed was built in 1872 and was an operational school until 1905. It now serves as a museum of historic artifacts and is maintained by the Ridgewood Historical Society. Formerly District School No. 45, the Museum features exhibits that emphasize the historic Saddle River Valley area in the 18th and 19th centuries, an area that was primarily Dutch when first settled.

The museum gradually evolved through the generous donations of artifacts by area families, many of whom were the first families to settle here. Wool and flax wheels, colorful quilts, handcrafted toys, household articles, tools and pre-machine age farm equipment, toilet articles, a home medicine chest, Civil War items, and many other old and interesting objects tell a story of the past. Some of the artifacts date back to the Revolutionary War period.

The schoolhouse is the last in a long line of schools built on the property of the old Paramus Church. This school, however, was built as a public school by the trustees of the then School District 45. Until the borough act of 1894, public schools were organized in geographic areas or districts rather than in specific townships. The preceding schools were scattered about the property; one was located across what is now Route 17. None of them ever stood where this one is now located, nor was this school ever operated by the church.

With the exception of the bell tower having been removed years ago, the schoolhouse, one of the largest of its kind with nearly 2000 square feet, remains essentially as it was more than a century ago.

The exact date when the Paramus (Church) School No. 45 was formed cannot be ascertained, but in all likelihood some organization for school purposes came into existence with the formation of the Old Paramus Reformed Church around 1730. Since the school building occupied a portion of church property for nearly one hundred years through consent of the consistory, it seems evident that the Church and local education were partners in a single plan. In fact, tradition has it that a condition in the original grant of land from Mrs. Valleau to the church determined “that room should always be given upon said land for the school.” While a later disagreement failed to reveal such a grant or mention of a school, the tradition had the strength to influence the consistory which offered a free lease in perpetuity for school purposes. Based on definite information, a school opened in 1785 in a small building about 50 feet southeast of the present church building. In 1810, it appears the building was changed to a small stone house with teaching responsibilities assumed by a Mr. Westervelt. At that time, and for many years after, teachers “boarded around” with each family taking turns offering hospitality to the teacher. A second stone school was built in 1820 about 200 feet east of the first stone building. This was eventually replaced by a frame structure in 1845. The latter was so limited in dimensions and crudely furnished, it was barely possible for the large number of students in attendance to obtain standing room. Eventually the present schoolhouse was built in 1872. More commodious and complete, the attractively designed building was 32 X 60 in size and had ample seating capacity. Its cost was $4600 and its teacher was Henry Bingham. About 60 pupils attended the school, ranging from first to eighth grade.

We maintain a small reference library and offer our facilities for small gatherings. We have improved our storage and display areas. The conservation of textiles and artifacts is now assured, thanks to a complete climate control system made possible by the generous contributions of David F. Bolger. But to maintain this operation and continue development as a museum, we need your help: Become a member today!

Read some fun facts about Ridgewood